Mayors Against Illegal Guns has released the first television ad featuring family members of those killed at Sandy Hook calling on political leaders to support sensible reforms like comprehensive and enforceable background checks.

The ad features Neil Heslin, father of Jesse Lewis; Chris and Lynn McDonnell, parents of Grace McDonnell; Jillian Soto, sister of Vicki Soto; and Terri and Gilles Rousseau, parents of Lauren Rousseau.

Coalition Also Releases First Ad Featuring Newtown Family Members Demanding Political Leaders Pass Commonsense Reforms--More than 120 Events Taking Place Across the Nation – and at The White House – to Drive Largest Day of Advocacy in U.S. History Ever to Address Gun Violence; www.DemandAction.org/March28

Mayors Against Illegal Guns also released the first television ad featuring family members of those killed at Sandy Hook calling on political leaders to support sensible reforms like comprehensive and enforceable background checks.The ad can be viewed here: www.DemandAction.org/Newtown-Families

The ad, airing in the Hartford market and focused on pending Connecticut legislation, features Neil Heslin, father of Jesse Lewis; Chris and Lynn McDonnell, parents of Grace McDonnell; Jillian Soto, sister of Vicky Soto; and Terri and Gilles Rousseau, parents of Lauren Rousseau. In the ad, family members call on leaders to remember their loved ones and prevent other families from experiencing the toll of gun violence by taking real action to pass commonsense gun law reforms.

“From President Obama to Newtown families to the many Americans and mayors in both political parties coming together at events across the country today, the call for Congress to take action to prevent gun violence is loud and clear,” said Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy – it’s long past time for elected officials to listen to their constituents and pass reforms like comprehensive background checks that we know will save lives.”

“Never before have so many Americans come together to say ‘enough is enough’ and demand action from our leaders in Washington,” said Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “The Senate now has the opportunity to take a vote that the American people are demanding to make our neighborhoods safer. The time has come to pass legislation and make reform a reality.”

The National Day to Demand Action – organized by Mayors Against Illegal Guns in conjunction with Organizing for Action, Americans for Responsible Solutions and other groups – will feature hundreds of mayors, law enforcement officials, faith leaders, gun violence survivors and family members who want Congress to take immediate action to strengthen our background check system and reduce gun violence. The day is expected to be the largest gun violence advocacy event in history and is part of the largest field campaign in U.S. history to address gun violence. The coalition recently announced that it is hiring dozens of organizers and opening campaign offices in ten states.

In addition to the National Day to Demand Action, the bipartisan coalition is also broadcasting television ads demanding action from U.S. Senators. The Senate is expected to take up gun violence prevention legislation when it reconvenes in the second week of April. The ads can be found here: www.demandaction.org/recessads

A partial list of major events taking place across the country is available here.

Our country needs sane and sensible gun laws, that include background checks and gun safety classes. How any member of Congress can oppose gun safety laws after all the tragedies and accidental death from guns, is beyond comprehension.

It will only show they have no concern what the majority of Americans want (including members of the NRA), but only those of the NRA and gun manufacturers

I would say that universal background checks is a no-brainer, but many GOP don't seem to have a brain, and they STILL don't support it. It literally is the least we can do that would have a meaningful effect on gun violence.

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